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Wright participating in Big League Impact

7/30/14: David Wright makes a nice play to get Marlon Byrd at first base, helping the Mets to escape a 7th-inning threat

By Anthony DiComo
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MLB.com |

NEW YORK -- David Wright is among a handful of Major League Baseball players turning fantasy football into charity.

Wright will lead a charity fantasy football draft on Aug. 27 at Citi Field, allowing fans to compete against Mets players in a live draft and play against them throughout the NFL season. Wright, Dillon Gee, Matt Harvey, Daniel Murphy and Jon Niese will each compete in a separate division, with space for 11 fans in each division.

"I try to do as much charity work as I can, and obviously I really enjoy fantasy football, so it seems like the best of both worlds," Wright said. "I appreciate [Cardinals pitcher] Adam [Wainwright] thinking of me to represent the New York market. It should be a good time."

Fans can purchase the right to manage a team for a $3,000 donation and can bring along a co-manager for an additional $1,000. Yet another optional $1,000 allows fans to select the division in which they will compete.

Proceeds will go to the Ronald McDonald Houses in Long Island and New York, the Mets Foundation and Big League Impact.

The latter is the personal charity of Wainwright, who is organizing the event throughout baseball. After launching the inaugural event last year in St. Louis, Wainwright called star players around the league this year to expand it. That's where Wright comes in.

League managers in New York will be invited to participate in a live draft at Citi Field, with complimentary food and beverages available. Managers will also receive autographed memorabilia signed by all participating players, photos with Mr. and Mrs. Met, VIP access to batting practice, a behind-the-scenes tour of Citi Field and tickets to that night's game against the Braves.

"It's an easy sell, because you're talking about hopefully a lot of money going to four really, really cool causes," Wright said. "They were really excited to be a part of it."

Anthony DiComo is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @AnthonyDicomo. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.